Page 37 of Colin

Koffee Kraze was still my go-to for coffee and it still felt like home. “Andy!” I called as the bell on the door rang behind me. I had to meet up with my mobile detailing crew soon, and then I had a marketing meeting at Rourke’s building, where he had offices for Laz-funds. It was a full day for me, so I needed caffeine and my friend.

“Hey, Turtle-Dove! Hit me, man.” He held out his fist across the counter, and I gave him a bump. Our relationship had changed somewhat in the past year as I found my footing, but it was all for the better. I had more than I could have ever imagined a year ago. My own company. And…Rourke.

“I need a large coffee with a double shot, man! It’s going to be a busy day.”

“I got you!” He started making my drink without ringing it up. He said it was the alumni program, and I did not argue. “You know, Turtle. I’m really proud of you. Last year at this time, you were a puddle of goo, begging for a sugar daddy, and now you got one!” He wiggled his eyebrows at me. “Sexy one at that.”

“Well, I may have a daddy, but I’m not a pampered boy.”

He handed me the to-go cup of goodness. “Yeah…seriously, I’m way prouder of you for your business than scoring daddy of the year. Just don’t forget who your friends are.”

“Oh, hell no. I wouldn’t dream of it.” I poured sugar into my coffee, doctoring it up.

“You know. We need a boys’ night out with you, Levi, and me. Right?”

“Right. And actually, I had ulterior motives for coming in.” I sipped my coffee. “But this is soooo good. Thanks.”

“Never a problem, man. So, motives?”

“I wanted to invite you to a party at our house.”

Andy did some kind of a funky dance and hooted. “I’ll be there!”

“Sweet. So, aren’t you graduating sometime soon? What’s your plan?” He’d been promoted to manager at Koffee Kraze, but I didn’t think he wanted to stay on.

He threw up his hands, holding a cleaning cloth in one of them like a surrender flag. “I’m feeling more like you did last year, dude. I do not even know what I want to do.”

“Welp. You can work for me any time. You can run a crew, help out with marketing or operations, or whatever you want.” I leaned over the counter. “I’ve got you.”

Andy looked at me funny. “What? Why?”

“Comes down to one thing. I trust you, Bro. If you’re working with me, I know people won’t be taking advantage of me. You know? I’m not a smart guy like you. Just lucky.”

Andy threw the cloth at me. “And super-cute, Turtle.”

The Christmas party.

Our party was amazing. Rourke hired a company to decorate the entire house, inside and out, and we had no less than six Christmas trees throughout. The only rooms not decorated were our bedroom and his office. Those we locked. Off-limits to partygoers. But we decorated and opened up the pool house. That place held great memories for me. I really came into my own when living there. But tonight, it looked like a Candy Land dreamscape.

People were dancing around everywhere to the Christmas pop and rock tunes that played through the sound system. We invited all our friends, plus a select list from Afterglow. And everyone was allowed to bring two friends, and from the looks of it, everyone showed up.

Braxton and Phillip were dancing by the pool. I didn’t know they were that close—and they were close! Levi was running around with his friend, Danny, acting like Little’s, while their daddies tried to keep an eye on them, but Danny had a mischievous streak. I didn’t think they’d get in any real trouble, though. I trusted Levi for that, even if he was in Little headspace. I hadn’t seen him like that a lot, but he was super cute.

All the guests were doing great, so I looked around for Andy. I hadn’t seen him in a while. “Daddy Rourke?”

“Yes, babe?” He handed me a mug of mulled wine. Yummy.

“I can’t find Andy.”

“Oh, he’s, uh…I saw him.” He looked around, then pointed. “In the pool house with my friend, Rock.” His full name wasStanley Rockford, but Rourke called him Rock. He said it was a nickname from when they were kids and had been firmly established before The Rock ever wrestled. I didn’t know if I believed that. Rock was very muscular and tall, and in my opinion, he loved the comparison. But how should I know?

“Oh, I don’t know Rock that well.” They were making out on the couch. Lips fused together and hands wandering everywhere. Andy’s shirt was rucked up, showing skin. “Oh shit.”

“Language, boy.”

“Sorry, Daddy. But I didn’t expect that.” I gestured, palm up, at our friends. “Do they even know each other?”

“I’d say they do now.”

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